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Rafael Benitez has held talks with his Liverpool bosses over the implications if the club fail to reach the last 16 of this season's Champions League.

Discussions were also held on if the club fail to qualify for next season's lucrative European competition and the Liverpool manager revealed that the club did not budget this term for anything beyond the group stages.

Benitez said: "I spoke to Christian Purslow (Liverpool's managing director) the other day about the finances. The first thing, though, is that we have confidence we can still reach the last 16 of the Champions League this season."

And Benitez insisted he was confident that financial problems next season will be avoided "because we will achieve a top four finish".

Liverpool have never failed to reach the last 16 under Benitez's management, but they are in grave danger of that eventuality now with qualification from Group E out of their hands after the midweek draw in Lyon.

They must hope that Lyon win their next match away to Fiorentina, and that Liverpool win their final two group games to produce the "miracle" Benitez admits they need now.

Liverpool face earning £10million less from their European campaign this season if they do not reach the last 16, with another £10million lost if they do not qualify for next season's group stages.

Benitez added: "Whatever happens, the budget was done for this season based on us only qualifying for the group stages. And we did that, that is complete.

"Whether we can still bring in more money, we will wait and see. The commercial department is working very hard, for the next season (in Europe) it is a question of time.

"The Premier League is a long race, we must keep going. I am confident the team will finish in the top four and we are able to continue to do well in Europe."

Benitez believes Fernando Torres will be fit to face Birmingham on Monday, but rates Steven Gerrard as doubtful for the clash at Anfield.

Beintez said: "Gerrard was training and working with the physios on Friday. Will he be fit or just available? We don't know yet. Torres has been to Spain to see a specialist and we have discussed it all with our medical staff. He is a little better than he was before."

He added: "He will train and work with the physios. Whether he will be okay to play against Birmingham, we do not know that either, yet.

"He could play and we must be careful with him. We will look at the situation after every training session."

He added: "The experience I have had for many years with this sort of problem is to carry on and see how players react. Some players react different.

"Some can play all season with the problem, some need to stop and rest. They are all different.

"Torres is the one who can play. He has played in pain and he wants to play for the team, he has a great mentality. I believe we can carry on with him.

"I have been very surprised by the criticism of my decisions, people can see that Fernando is not fit. We have had to decide how long he can play and when he must stop."

PA Sport